Can Herbs Save Career From Stage Fright?

Q. I hope you can help me because my career is on the line. I was recently promoted to a position which requires me to make periodic presentations to our senior staff and to other organizations.

The problem is that public speaking makes me very nervous. My doctor prescribed alprazolam to calm me down. It does relax me, but during my last presentation I forgot the name of a team member I was introducing. It was incredibly embarrassing and I fear my memory is getting worse. I have also experienced panic attacks for the first time in my life and wonder if they are linked to alprazolam.

A friend told me you wrote about a natural remedy for stage fright. Please tell me about it.

A. Alprazolam (Xanax) has been associated with forgetfulness. Although alprazolam is sometimes prescribed for panic attacks, stopping the drug suddenly can trigger anxiety or panic. Taking it intermittently as you do might lead to such a withdrawal phenomenon.

Beta Blockers for Stage Fright

Physicians sometimes prescribe beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol or propranolol to treat musicians, actors or public speakers who suffer from performance anxiety. Such medications are usually prescribed for heart patients or to control high blood pressure. There are not a lot of scientific studies that demonstrate beta blocker effectiveness against stage fright.

Use of such drugs for this purpose is strictly off label. They can help control a pounding heart, rapid pulse or other symptoms of excess adrenaline such as shakiness. However, there are possible side effects (dizziness, drowsiness, etc) and people with asthma should generally avoid beta blockers.

Herbal Mixture to Help

One reader told us about an herbal concoction that works for her. The day before an event, she takes valerian and scullcap tinctures. She puts them in cranberry juice to make them palatable. Then, half an hour before the performance, she takes a smaller booster dose and spends fifteen minutes meditating.

Valerian and scullcap were used together in traditional medicine to calm the nerves, though modern research suggests most of the efficacy may be attributed to valerian. You will have to experiment to see whether this approach might help you.

You could also join Toastmasters, an organization which provides public speaking experience in a supportive environment.

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17 Thoughts Shared

Virginia

Georgia

March 28, 2015 at 2:05 pm

My daughter uses Rescue Remedy Drops or lozenges for this same problem and it works for her. No side effects either. Rescue Remedy cream is AMAZING for bruises and contusions. This is a homeopathic remedy.

BobK

Bluffton, SC

March 24, 2015 at 9:57 pm

Stage fright or being nervous when giving presentations is very common even with the most experienced speakers. I had it when I first started my career when I had to give a presentation to over 400 scientists/experts and I was the new guy in the laboratory just a couple years out of college. Talk about being nervous. However, over my long career I realized that the more you become an expert on a subject that you are presenting the easier it is to speak about it in front of anyone or anywhere.

When you think about it your fear is always that someone will ask you a question that you can’t answer or that someone in the audience knows more about the subject than you (which in most cases is not true.) The only way to get over this fear is to become an expert or very knowledgeable about the subject matter and then your self confidence will soar and your fears will greatly diminish since you will be very comfortable with the material you are presenting.

Over the years I became an expert on our product line and at that point in time I could easily speak to anyone from corporate level on down AND in most cases I never used any presentation papers in front of me since I knew the subject matter cold. By the way I find using cards or reading from prepared papers the worst thing you can do in terms of being nervous. That is a real no, no as you become too dependent on it and it is too limiting. Speak from your own knowledge base and if you need any material just have an outline of what you are presenting. The rest comes from your knowledge inside your brain. It there is a lot of it you are home free and can speak to any group of people. And remember the audience is there to learn and not criticize. You are the teacher and they are there to learn.

Of course you could always use the Dale Carnegie technique which is to picture everyone in the audience as being naked! That can help too.:):)

John

Florida

March 24, 2015 at 3:57 pm

EFT, Emotional Freedom Therapy, a system of tapping on a half dozen meridfan pointswhile repeating a mantra such as “Even though I am terrified of public speaking, I totally and completely love myself.” or something similar will cure stage fright. I may take a number of ’rounds’ to cure it, but it definitely works. You can look up a practicioner, or you can Google EFT tapping points and strike out on yourown–after reading a couple of articles on how it works. Your reaction, as is all fear. the result of an energy blockage according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tapping will remove the energy blockage if you’re focusing on the real problem.

alxzba

March 24, 2013 at 10:54 pm

one of the problems with offering advice/experience is that seldom does one get any feedback that is recognizable from the individual posing the initial question. I endorse the comments recommending ToastMasters before trying drugs. Do their introductory course — it does not take long and you’ll get mostly honest feedback in a supportive environment — you’ll know it if doesn’t fit your needs. You have nothing to loose and much to gain. Unless a professional speaker/politician, I doubt if anyone gets completely over some degree of nervousness when on stage — it keeps you sharp — and awake!

OSJ

March 22, 2013 at 4:23 pm

Andy

February 20, 2013 at 8:04 am

Hi LS. Did you find a solution to your problem? I shake, embarrassingly so, when I have to carry out certain often simple tasks – even though I feel confident in the task and am able to do it. I hope yr well, I feel your anxiety about this. Regards, Andy

LS

May 5, 2012 at 3:00 pm

I have never had performance anxiety when I sang until I got into an abusive marriage …several years later, I now shake involuntarily when I sing on stage or just for a crowd of unknown people… especially when I know I’m expected to… please help. My song (I have no problem recording in a studio), is taking off and I’m going to be expected yo perform it soon!!! :-o. Thank u in advance! :)

Tom

January 30, 2012 at 11:43 am

No herb or Toastmasters course will help a person with real anxiety problems. I have decades of experience talking in public and I feel the same anxiety most of the time. Wasting time and no treatment can cause big problems

alxzba

May 28, 2011 at 7:55 am

Rather than attempting to get a quick fix with drugs and herbs, here’s another vote for the basic Toastmasters course. Try it first. Be open with yourself and others in the group and the feedback you’ll get will be great. It’s not group therapy, however you’ll learn much– importantly about yourself and how to be comfortable when speaking before others– and it can be fun!

MMtexas

May 23, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Toastmasters is a way better solution than drugs. With practice, coaching, and support, you will become a skilled and confident speaker. There are clubs all over the world. Go to http://www.Toastmasters.org to find one near you. Guests are welcome at no charge.

Simon R.

May 23, 2011 at 3:17 am

Declaration of interest: I’m a professional trainer in presentation skills, so take everything I say with a pinch of “well he would say that, wouldn’t he!” :) Side effects of different people for different drugs vary, so there’s no point in sweeping generalisations. The only way to find out if a drug is going to work for you (let alone have side effects) is to try it. You may want to consider the implications of that, ‘cos you can’t test it ahead of time…. People’s sensitivity to drugs varies over time, too, so what worked in the past may not right no – and visa versa obviously. Toastmasters is a mixed blessing. You’ll certainly get stage time, which will help over the years, but sometimes the advice you get from other amateurs isn’t the same as you’d get from professionals….. :) I’d suggest some training in the techniques of handling nerves and high-pressure anxiety, backed up by experiments with prescription meds and lots of practice. Or notes… notes are good…. for key facts such as who you’re introducing, notes are perfectly acceptable! Just learn some of the standard techniques for writing and using them professionally….. S

Harriet B.

May 22, 2011 at 3:52 am

As a voice teacher for over 25 years, I have helped many people who struggle with “finding their voice while under pressure”. Relying on a vocal technique that teaches you how to breath in a healthy and productive way can be a life saver for those who rely on their voices in a professional capacity. Finding a reputable voice teacher can make a difference. National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) or Music Teachers Association of (any state) will guide you to a reputable teacher.

fmk

May 20, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Toastmasters is the best “medication” for stage fright. You will learn to speak easily in public and use the adrenaline rush. It will take work and time, but the benefits will extend far beyond your job.

HHL

May 20, 2011 at 5:38 pm

GMC

May 20, 2011 at 4:26 pm

My doctor prescribed Propanolol for stage fright during a play. Fortunately, I experimented during the final days of rehearsal. The first night, I couldn’t remember where I put my clothes during a scene change. The second night, I couldn’t recall my lines. It was a very strange and frightening experience. I switched to taking ONLY Benedryl about an hour and a half before going on stage, and it helped take the edge off my anxiety.

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Each week we send two free email newsletters with breaking health news, prescription drug information, home remedies and a preview of our award-winning radio show. Make confident choices about your health.

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